Mr. James Keith, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, paid a working visit to Ulaanbaatar on Friday, April 28.  Mr. Keith met with Prime Minister M. Enkhbold, Vice Foreign Minister Tsolmon, Ministry of Defense State Secretary Major General Borbaatar, and a number of MPs from different political parties.  He also met with key civil society leaders, foreign and Mongolian business representatives and key aid donors.

Mr. Keith is responsible for coordinating and implementing US foreign policy across the East Asia and Pacific region.  During his meetings today he discussed the full range of issues in US-Mongolian relations, including anti-corruption efforts; anti-money-laundering and strengthening of the financial sector; promoting the business climate for foreign investment; our gratitude for Mongolia’s participation in the Iraq and Afghanistan Coalitions as a sign of Mongolia’s military transformation; the upcoming Khan Quest military exercises and the prospects for further agreements between the US and Mongolia.  The discussions were very open and productive. 

In his discussions Mr. Keith urged the Mongolian Government to work constructively with the international community t consolidate economic gains and formulate clear and effective policies to increase transparency, fight corruption, and attract increasing international participation in Mongolia’s economy. 

This visit is another step in the continuing progress of US-Mongolian relations.